Filial piety

In Confucian thought, filial piety (Xiào (孝)) is one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors. More under Confucianism.

In general terms, filial piety means to take care of one’s parents; not be rebellious; show love, respect and support; display courtesy; see to that there would be male heirs; uphold fraternity among brothers; wisely advise one’s parents; conceal their mistakes and; display sorrow for their sickness and death; and carry out sacrifices after their death. Xiao for Confucius was however not blind loyalty to one’s parents. Above the norm of xiao were the norms of ren (benevolence) and yi (righteousness). For Confucius and Mencius, xiao was in fact foremost a display of ren and should ideally be applied in one’s dealings with all elders, thus making it a general norm of intergenerational relations. In reality, however, xiao was usually reserved for one’s own parents and grandparents and was often elevated above the notions of ren and yi.